Description
Perfectly crispy and juicy oven-baked chicken thighs seasoned with herbs and spices. A delicious, foolproof recipe that delivers restaurant-quality results every time.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (approximately 3 pounds)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves (or 1 teaspoon dried)
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried)
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
Instructions
- Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels and let rest at room temperature for 15-20 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place a wire rack on top.
- Mix olive oil, garlic, herbs, spices, lemon zest, and juice in a bowl to create a paste.
- Massage seasoning mixture all over chicken thighs, including under the skin.
- Arrange chicken skin-side up on the wire rack, ensuring pieces don’t touch.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes until skin is crispy and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Optional: Broil for 2-3 minutes for extra crispiness.
- Rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Thoroughly drying the chicken ensures crispy skin
- Don’t skip the resting period before and after cooking
- Use a meat thermometer for perfect doneness
- Can be made ahead and stored in refrigerator for up to 4 days
- Freezes well for up to 3 months
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh
- Calories: 275
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 410mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: undefined
- Trans Fat: undefined
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: oven-baked chicken thighs, crispy chicken thighs, baked chicken, easy dinner recipe, chicken dinner